Ex-St. John's, Houston coach joins SMU staff

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

SMU Women's Basketball Hires Assistant Coach
Danny Hughes was interim head coach at University of Houston in 2008

Aug. 10, 2009

DALLAS (SMU) – Head women’s basketball coach Rhonda Rompola announced the hiring of assistant coach Danny Hughes on Monday. Hughes comes to Dallas after previous coaching stops at Houston, St. John’s and Sam Houston State and a standout playing career at TCU.

While an assistant for the Red Storm last year, he helped guide the team to the third round of the WNIT, marking just the second time in the program’s history it had advanced that far in postseason play. Hughes’ duties included working with the guards, and he was able to help shooting guard Monique McLean garner an All-Big East second-team selection.

Before going to St. John’s, Hughes spent three seasons with fellow Conference-USA member Houston. While there, he was responsible for all aspects of recruiting while also overseeing compliance, fundraising, practice and game preparation, as well as coordination of all scouting reports.

During the 2008 season, Hughes served as the program's interim head coach, leading Houston to a 15-16 mark, its best record in three years. Hughes took the reins of the team only nine days before the start of the season, after UH head coach Joe Curl took a leave of absence for health reasons.

As a part of the season in 2008, the Cougars ran off an eight-game league win streak, their longest since 2004. That year, the team earned a first-round bye in the Conference-USA tournament, its first in three years.

Prior to going to Houston, Hughes was an assistant at Trinity Valley Community College for five years, his third stop at the school, while handling recruiting aspects as well as overseeing the team’s academic progress. During the five years he was there, the team made the Region XIV playoffs three times and included the top junior college player in America in 2001.

From 1992-2000, Hughes served as athletic director and men's basketball coach at Cross Roads High School in his hometown of Malakoff, Texas. He led his squad to a 24-6 record and a state playoff appearance in his first season at the helm. His coaching record was 123-89 and his success as athletic director enabled Hughes to be the first inductee in the school's athletic hall of fame in 2001.

During Hughes’ second trip to Trinity Valley from 1991-92 he worked with the men's squad. Hughes worked with guards and post players while handling recruiting responsibilities for the state of Texas during the 1991-92 season.

Hughes began his coaching career at Sam Houston State University as a graduate assistant from 1990-91. During his time with the Bearkats, he worked with the guards and wings while assisting with scouting and recruiting duties.

A former standout player at TCU, Hughes was one of the most prolific three-point shooters in school history. In two seasons (1987-89), Hughes shot 45 percent (108-240) from behind the arc, a mark that ranks third on the Horned Frogs’ career list. His single-season best of 45.2 percent (70-155) during the 1988-89 campaign ranks second on TCU's single-season chart.

The two-year starter at shooting guard was a two-time winner of the Jim Killingsworth MVP award, given to the top men’s basketball player that season.

Prior to his arrival at TCU, Hughes was an all-region and all-league player at Trinity Valley where he helped lead his team to a 44-15 record from 1985-87. During his sophomore season, he earned MVP honors while averaging 14.6 points and 6.4 assists per game. He was also selected to play on the National Junior College All-Star Team, comprised of the top-12 junior college players in the country.

[abezontar]

uh-oh, you are about to experience the wrath of ponydoh

[indianmustang]

welcome to smu coach

[mustangxc]

You need to make a notation that this thread is about women's basketball so that we don't waste time reading the other garbage in the basketball boards and can instantly get to this thread!

[The Q]

Welcome to the Hilltop, Coach Hughes!

[Pony4Life]

Coach Hughes started today.
Welcome to the Hilltop, Coach!

[George S. Patton]

I guess he's taking Karen Blair's spot. When was the last time Rhonda had a male assistant? What will be his focus?

[CA Mustang]

When was the last time Rhonda had a male assistant?

Was Jon Newlee (sp?) the last one?

[Vitale]

Yes, Newlee was the last one — Karen Blair replaced him, I think.

I hear Hughes played guard and coaches guards.

Welcome, Coach!